Thesis on Joan

#4.6 Queer the Tonys with Harrow and Meghan

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Hosts Harrow and Meghan share Tony reactions, queer recommendations and Summer plans. We talk Ruthie Ann Miles’ spit takes, the Tony as a marketing tool, our love of Ariana Debose (host everything!), the Tony’s response to the writer’s strike, the Tonys continuing to sideline the creative awards, disappointments and celebrations of the big night, the Jimmy to City Center pipeline, the shows we wish got more attention (KPOP, Ain’t No Mo’) and, of course, spoilers for The Ultimatum. Our Action of the Ep is all the ways that you can support Drag Story Hour here in NYC!

Tony Moments:

Action of the Ep:

Drag Story Hour

Queer Culture Recs:

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

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#4.5 Meghan & Harrow Return to the Shubert

Wed, 31 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Hosts Harrow and Meghan discuss Some Like It Hot and White Girl in Danger. Hear the response from Meghan on the representation(s) of her namesake (but not her spelling) and thoughts on how queerness, gender, race, and identity are represented in these two very different productions. It’s also time for Pride and there are many queer festivals, shows, and actions to take in June to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community!

Show Discussions:

Some Like It Hot
Book by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw
Some Like It Not: Are Men in Dresses Still Funny?
Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman Have Read Your Criticisms About Broadway's Some Like It Hot
White Girl in Danger
By Michael R. Jackson, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, and choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly
Teeth at Playwrights Horizons, February 2024
Book and music by Anna K. Jacobs, book and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson, choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, and directed by Sarah Benson

Upcoming Shows:

FRIGID New York presents the 2023 Queerly Festival
UNDER St. Marks & The Kraine Theater, June 15-July 3rd
New Ambassadors Theatre Company’s Blurring Boundaries 2023
Hudson Guild Theatre, June 14-18th
The Tank annual PrideFest
The Tank, June 16-25th
Foxes by Dexter Flanders, directed by James Hillier
59E59’s Theater A, June 1 - July 2nd

Action of the Ep:

Black & Pink - A nationwide PenPal program to match incarcerated LGBTQIA2S+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS with PenPals who correspond, build relationships, and participate in harm reduction and affirmation.

Queer Culture Recs:

Lempicka
Woman Is
Stay
Girl in a Green Dress, Tamara de Lempicka
Dyke Beer

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
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#4.4 Summoning Magic with Daniel K. Isaac

Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Daniel K. Isaac, star of stage and (TV) screen joins hosts Harrow & Meghan for an in-depth discussion of his theatrical work, particularly his play Once Upon a (Korean) Time and his role in Noah Diaz’s You Will Get Sick. We fanqueer over Ryan Haddad’s Dark Disabled Stories and learn about the inspiration and research behind Daniel’s work (including his Mom). We discuss the importance of overcoming design hurdles and demanding big production value, letting go during the writing process and generational resilience. We react very excitedly to Daniel’s book references and recommendations and his many Queering the Canon suggestions. Finally, we start petitioning to get Daniel to play Marx in an eventual screen adaptation of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin and Daniel promises to keep writing.

Daniel K. Isaac: Instagram | Twitter

Web Site

Queer Culture Recs:

Here for It by R Erik Thomas
The Groom Will Keep His Name by Matt Ortile
Memorial by Bryan Washington
Real Life by Brandon Taylor
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Alexander Che
Michael Cunningham

Queer Korean Shout Outs:

Queer Gives:

Ma-Yi Theater Company

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

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#4.3 In the moment with Meghan & Harrow

Wed, 03 May 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Hosts Meghan and Harrow have a spoiler-full discussion of Fat Ham by James Ijames, directed by Saheem Ali and Dark Disabled Stories by Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Jordan Fein. Hear how their New Year’s resolutions and intentions are going, their queer theatre character fanfic dreams, what queer-ish shows they hope to see next, how to support the NYCLU in disbanding the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group, and what Meghan is finally watching in Queer Culture Recs.

Fat Ham by James Ijames, directed by Saheem Ali

Dark Disabled Stories by Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Jordan Fein

Upcoming Shows

Episode Mentions

Ryan J. Haddad’s Instagram
A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson
soft by Donja R. Love
DANCIN’

Action of the Ep

SRG Fact Sheet
Volunteer Projects/Activities - testifying, digital advocacy, canvassing, and more
SRG Action Toolkit

Queer Culture Recs

Episode Credits

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan

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#4.2 Every Crayon in the Box with Justin David Sullivan

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0000

Justin David Sullivan, currently starring as May in & Juliet on Broadway, brings a burst of queer joy to the podcast. Hosts Harrow and Meghan talk with Justin about the representation that has inspired her, crayons and our type A personalities, what drives them to continue to advocate for inclusivity and representation on stage and how they landed their dream role in & Juliet! We also discuss the unique position of stepping into a character for a Broadway transfer, the queer audience responses to the character of May, the queer anthems of & Juliet, and why she thinks & Juliet is “the queerest show on Broadway.” Justin leaves with a stack of Queer Culture Rec homework and shares with us more about Thee Open House Project started by former guest, Sis!

Justin David Sullivan: Instagram | TikTok | Youtube

Justin finding out they landed the role of May

Show Links

Meghan & Harrow talk & Juliet

Queer Culture Recs:

Just By Looking At Him by Ryan O’Connell

Queer Gives:

Thee Open House Project

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#4.1 Sara Porkalob’s Villain Arc

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Season four kicks off with artist, activist, cultural worker, and Pisces, Sara Porkalob (she/they)! Sara and hosts Harrow (they/them) and Meghan (she/her) get pumped for Dragon Cycle, Sara’s trilogy of musical plays about her family (and the queer upbringing of our dreams), manifesting the next role in their villain arc, queerness as performance, mentoring as resource sharing, and intersectional performance critique. She also shares her reaction to and takeaways from the response to the 1776 Vulture interview and how she continues to live and practice her values.

A full transcription of this episode is available here.

Sara Porkalob: Website | Instagram | Twitter

TeenTix

Queer Culture Recs:

Queer historical figure love letters

Queer Gives:

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
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#3.12 & Juliet, You Will Get Sick and 2023 Resolutions

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Harrow and Meghan wrap up the season with a show catch-up, a reflection on the last year, and theatrical resolutions for 2023. Hosts discuss the millennial bait of & Juliet and how it measures up to other jukebox musicals, our love of Betsy Wolfe, and what worked and didn’t work for us in this star-crossed lovers tale with new queer characters. Hosts also discuss the recent run of the Roundabout Theatre Company production of You Will Get Sick and how it flips our expectations for character relationships. We discuss the transactional nature of caregiving, and we attempt to unravel the metaphors and symbols of the play’s story arc.

Shout outs to Brian D’Arcy James, I Want to F*ck Like Romeo & Juliet by Andrew Rincón, Strange Loop, and Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival as we wrap up 2023. Support Trans Youth this holiday season with Trans Santa.

Show Discussions:

& Juliet
Music from Max Martin
Book by David West Read
Directed by Luke Shepherd
Playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theater
You Will Get Sick
By Noah Diaz
Directed by Sam Pinkleton

Action of the Ep:

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#3.11 Cool, Cool, Considerate Queers

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0000

Hosts Meghan and Harrow discuss a new round of queer theatre including the Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival readings of TRANS WORLD by Ty Defoe, Hide and Hide by Roger Q. Mason, and Overheard directed by L Morgan Lee, as well as Where the Mountain Meets the Sea by Jeff Augustin and I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet by Andrew Rincón. Special guest and Harrow’s partner, Luci DeVoy joins in a deep dive into Roundabout Theatre’s revival of 1776 with her thoughts on representation, land acknowledgments, and where she expects them to show up next.

A full transcription of this episode is available here.

Show Discussions:

Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival
TRANS WORLD by Ty Defoe
Hide and Hide by Roger Q. Mason
Overheard directed by L Morgan Lee
Where the Mountain Meets the Sea by Jeff Augustin
I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet by Andrew Rincón
Listen to a reading on The Parsnip Ship - 32:40
1776 music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards, book by Peter Stone
Sara Porkalob Vulture Interview

References:

Special guest Luci DeVoy: Instagram

Action of the Ep:

Call on Congress and the Biden administration to swiftly pass permanent protections for undocumented immigrants in our country.
National Domestic Workers Alliance: Sign the petition
New York Immigration Coalition: Write to your representatives

Queer Culture Recs:

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

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Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
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#3.10 Not Being OK With Sis

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Artist, Activist, and Self-Proclaimed Sister to thee people Sis joins us from the road as she wrapped up playing Ado Annie in the National tour of Oklahoma! We talk about how Ado Annie has been with her for years, execution and expectations when it comes to revivals, and theatre as a mirror to realize the world that we’ve created. We find out why now is the time for Sis to be Elle Woods, discuss the challenges of creating your own work as a marginalized creator, not being OK with the state of theater, the lasting effects of the Trans March on Broadway, and the dangers of conflating experiences of trans folx. Sis is hands down the most excited we’ve ever had a guest get for Queer Culture Recs - let’s just say we should all have the best of both worlds.

SIS: Instagram | Twitter

The Next Generation Project: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Our Offering
The Open House Project

Queer Culture Recs:

Hannah Montana

Queer Gives:

Next Generation Project - Donate

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#3.9 Queer (Show) Round-Up

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Hosts Meghan and Harrow discuss all the queer shows they’ve seen recently (and not so recently)! Hear shout outs to Songs From Bark of Millions by Taylor Mac and Matt Ray, Gumiho by Nina Ki, The Nosebleed written and directed by Aya Ogawa, As You Like It adapted by Shaina Taub & Laurie Woolery, and Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason. They go into deeper dives on Once Upon a (Korean) Time by Daniel K. Isaac and american (tele)visions by Victor I. Cazares! Plus, get behind-the-scenes thoughts on the making of this podcast, a discussion of the current “drag moment” trend in theatre, and what playwright Harrow and Meghan moved aside in order to take a photo with their show poster.

A full transcription of this episode is available here

Content Warning: Discussion of sexual assault between 27:16-29:13

Show Discussions:

Songs From Bark of Millions by Taylor Mac and Matt Ray
Gumiho by Nina Ki, directed by Kai Kim
The Nosebleed written and directed by Aya Ogawa
As You Like It adapted by Shaina Taub & Laurie Woolery, directed by Laurie Woolery
Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason, directed by Lovell Holder
Once Upon a (Korean) Time by Daniel K. Isaac, directed by Ralph B. Peña
american (tele)visions by Victor I. Cazares, directed by Rubén Polendo

Upcoming Shows:

1776 - September 16, 2022-January 8, 2023, American Airlines Theatre
& Juliet - previews begin October 28th, Stephen Sondheim Theatre
I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet - October 20-November 5, 2022, 59E59 Theaters
Turning Krasniqi - November 3- 6, 2022, AMT Theater
The Patient Gloria - November 16-December 4, 2022, St. Ann’s Warehouse

Episode References:

Some Like It Not: Are Men in Dresses Still Funny?

Action of the Ep:

Queer Culture Recs:

A League of Their Own

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

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#3.8 You Are What You Watch with Victor I. Cazares

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0000

Victor I. Cazares, a non-binary Poz Queer Indigenous Mexican Artist, sits down with Harrow and Meghan to talk about the premiere of their show american (tele)visions, opening the New York Theatre Workshop season. We discuss the villains of capitalism and the art and politics that inspired the play, the incredible team that has brought the multi-media world of American (Tele)Visions to the stage, queers and the multi-verse, and a demand for messy realities on stage. Victor also discusses their role as a teacher and mentor of young playwrights, the sinister nature of linear storytelling, and a call for more Brown and Black Latine folx in theatre. We reveal to Victor how creepy stalker we can get with twitter feeds, we choose violence in our Queering the Canon, and discuss who gets to be our storytellers (spoiler: one is Tony Soprano).

Victor I. Cazares: Instagram | Twitter

American (Tele)Visions

Learn More & Get Tickets

Queer Culture Recs:

The Sopranos

Other Links:

Papa Was a Rodeo by The Magnetic Fields
PENAmerica Dreaming Out Loud

Queer Gives:

RAICES- The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education & Legal Services
Learn More
Support

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

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#3.7 Reclaiming stories with George Strus

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0000

The Founding Artistic Director of the Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival (BTB), George Strus, joins us as we kick off the second half of Season 3! Hear from George about BTB, a communal, new play development hub for trans, nonbinary, two-spirit plus actors, directors, writers, dramaturgs, and stage managers, created by members of that community. Geroge discusses how BTB was inspired and created within a year, the incredible artists involved (including many past Thesis on Joan guests), what developmental choices they’re most proud of, the urgency and necessity of this kind of work, and the future of BTB. Hosts Harrow and Meghan check in after their summer hiatus to chat about Meghan’s honeymoon and Harrow’s name change!

A full transcription of this episode is available here

Action of the Ep

Sign up to volunteer with a local organization!
SAGE
New York Civil Liberties Union
American Indian Community House
Theatre of the Oppressed NYC

George Strus: Instagram | Twitter

Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival: Instagram | Twitter

Tickets on sale Monday, September 26th
October 10-16th at Theatre Row
TRANS WORLD by Ty Defoe, Director Dominique Rider, Dramaturg Josephine Kearns
TWITCH by Liliana Padilla, Director Jack Ferver, Dramaturg Desiree (Des) Mitton
HIDE AND HIDE by Roger Q. Mason, Director é boylan, Dramaturg Gaven Trinidad
WORK HARD HAVE FUN MAKE HISTORY by Ruth Tang, Director Kedian Keohan, Dramaturg Lewis Fender
NANA by Aziza Barnes, Director Rad Pereira, Dramaturg Al Parker
THELMA AND LOUISE AND THE TIME MACHINE by Mara Vélez Meléndez, Director Sivan Battat
AN EVENING OF COMMISSIONED MONOLOGUES, Director L Morgan Lee, Dramaturg George Strus

Pride Plays

Queer Culture Recs:

Queer Gives:

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

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#3.6 Theatrical Revelator: Qween Jean

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0000

The incomparable Qween Jean, costume designer and activist, sits down with Harrow and Meghan to talk activism, theatre design, and hopes for the future of queer liberation. We discuss designing for revivals versus new work, what makes a good collaborative relationship, not living with the rules, and creating freedom for the stories of BIPOC artists to be told without relying on adjacency to whiteness. In a relevant and prophetic conversation, Qween Jean breaks down the wars we are facing today that we can’t ignore, the direction towards real equitable change, the need to uproot and reimagine failing systems, multiple ways to support Black Trans folx, and the way for everyone to have the chance to rise.

Check the show notes to find out more about Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason playing this Summer at Skylight Theatre in LA and streaming.

Qween Jean: Website | Instagram

Episode Mentions

Queer Culture Recs:

Queer Cook Outs!

Queer Gives:

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

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#3.5 Tonys Recap: Six Shots for Chris Harper

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Welcome to a Tony Award reaction episode with hosts Meghan and Harrow! Hear about the highlights and shocks of the evening, their love of Ariana DeBose and Ruthie Ann Miles, the queer kiss you might have missed, the stress and joy for A Strange Loop, and lots of ideas for a new recurring section of the ceremony. They also discuss how it’s actively becoming impossible to watch the Tonys, what was overdone, the show they really want to see now, what they’ll pass on, and the honorary CoPros of a previous Tony Award winner. Finally, thoughts on Harrow's experience of a Korean production of Hadestown, Meghan revisiting A Strange Loop, and shoutouts to upcoming events and shows this summer!

A full transcription of this episode is available through this link.

References:

Hadestown at the Dream Theater in Busan, Korea
Closed June 5, 2022
A Strange Loop
On sale through October 30th at the Lyceum Theatre
Fat Ham
Now through July 17th at The Public Theatre
Six
On sale through January 8, 2023 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre
BroadwayCon
July 8 - 10th at the Manhattan Center + New Yorker Hotel
Dreaming the Queer Future: TGNC Representation & Playwrights in the American Theatre
HOT! Festival
July 2022 at Dixon Place
2022 Tony Award Nominations and Winners
Watch now on Paramount Plus
Dear Evan Hansen Best Musical win photo and video

Action of the Ep/Queer Gives:

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
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Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#3.4 Happy Pride! Queer Show Round-Up

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0000

Happy Pride! Join Harrow and Meghan for a super queer round-up of everything we’ve seen recently and are excited to see this month. Beware - spoilers abound! We talk about the genius of Paula Vogel and the revival of How I Learned to Drive. We attempt to manifest a queer dating conversation between Ryan Haddad and Michael R. Jackson and share our love of fat protagonists as we talk about A Strange Loop. Harrow has thoughts on The Minutes and we both try to unpack our experience at Which Way to the Stage. As queer psychics, we predict the transfer of Into the Woods and The ThanksGiving Play (we promise we recorded this weeks ago), dream cast and queer Into the Woods, and welcome Milky White into the queer canon. We also shout-out upcoming shows in June we’re excited to check out and our current queer culture recommendations.

Shows Discussed:

How I Learned to Drive
Now in performance at the Friedman Theatre on Broadway
Closing June 12th
A Strange Loop
Now in performance at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway
Tickets on Sale through October 16th
Which Way to the Stage
Performances ended June 5th at MCC
Into the Woods
Broadway Transfer begins June 28th at the St. James Theatre
Performances June 28th-August 21st

Upcoming Shows:

Fat Ham
Through July 3rd at the Public Theatre
FRIGID New York Queerly Fest
Various performances throughout June
soft
Through June 26th at MCC Theatre
Criminal Queerness Festival
June 22nd-26th at Lincoln Center

Action of the Ep/Queer Gives:

Queer Culture Recs:

Gentleman Jack
Man About Town: The Story of Murray Hall from The Gilded Gentlemen Podcast

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
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Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#3.3 Manifesting Broadway with Michael R. Jackson

Wed, 18 May 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Hosts chat with two-time Tony nominated playwright, composer, and lyricist, Michael R. Jackson, creator of the Pulitzer Prize winning musical A Strange Loop which is up for 11 Tony awards! They discuss how A Strange Loop developed into an all Black queer and trans cast that manifested themselves to Broadway, how choreographer Raja Feather Kelly turns up the volume on people, queering religiosity, and the ongoing beef with the cast and a certain actor. Jackson also gets into what he hopes audiences are thinking about when seeing the show, what it feels like to now be a gatekeeper, the horror musical he’s currently working on, and advice for the next generation of artists.

A full transcription of this episode is available through this link.

Michael R Jackson: Website | Instagram | Twitter

Creator References

Queer Culture Recs:

Murder, She Wrote

Queer Gives:

Musical Theatre Factory

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#3.2 Queer Caretaker, Paula Vogel

Thu, 05 May 2022 13:23:00 -0000

We are thrilled to welcome the legendary Paula Vogel as our first guest on Season Three! We talk about the revival of How I Learned to Drive currently making its Broadway debut at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Friedman Theatre as well as other highlights from Paula’s incredible career. We talk gender collision, theater-viewing as obligation, the inspiring next generation of playwrights and theatermakers, subverting dangerous myths about queers through theater, reinventing Paula’s theatrical catalogue, how Harrow followed in Paula’s footsteps, and increasing access to plays by BIPOC and queer writers through the virtual archive Bard at the Gate. Additionally, Paula gives us a ton of ways to support queer youth in Texas and Florida and wants your ideas on how else to create safe spaces. Stay tuned after the credits for very special surprise guests.

Paula Vogel: Website | Twitter

Paula Vogel’s Reading List

Bard at the Gate
Dr. Anne Fausto-Sterling’s Writing
Charlie Francis Chan Jr.’s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery by Lloyd Suh
Unmerciful Good Fortune by Eddie Sanchez
The Drag by Mae West
Philip Kan Gotanda
Naomi Iizuka
The Country Wife by William Wycherly
Do a Paula Vogel Bake-Off!

Queer Culture Recs:

Cheryl Wheeler- Music / Concert Dates
Bush Tetras - Snakes Crawl / You Taste Like the Tropics

Queer Gives:

Donate to Bard at the Gate
Gay Pride Orlando - October 15, 2022
Equality Florida
TENT- Transgender Education Network of Texas

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#3.1 Queer Until Proven Otherwise (Suffs, Wolf Play, Company)

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 07:00:00 -0000

Hosts Meghan and Harrow kick off season three of Thesis on Joan and share how they’re queering up the format this year! They discuss shows they saw during the hiatus, including Wolf Play by Hansol Jung at Soho Rep, Company on Broadway, and a deep dive on Suffs by Shaina Taub at The Public. Also, get a sneak peek of all the shows they have booked and want to see so you can join in on the conversation.

A full transcription of this episode is available through this link.

Shows We Saw

Shows We Want to See

Shows We Are Going To See

Action of the Ep & Queer Gives:

ACLU Pledge: Support Trans Youth Now
Donate to Thrive Youth Center in San Antonio Texas

Queer Culture Recs:

Astrid and Lily Save the World - free on NBC!
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
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Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#2.15 Revolutionary Storytelling with Cecilia Gentili

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Legendary advocate, organizer and storyteller Cecilia Gentili joins us for the final episode of Season Two! We talk about her autobiographical show The Knife Cuts Both Ways and finding beauty in your story when the world wants to “reduce you to a ball of trauma.” She shares the joy of being a part of Pose (her first ever audition!) and some behind the scene stories from late night filming with Janet Mock. We talk more about her work being a resource and voice for the community in issues of gender equity through Transgender Equity Consulting and Cecilia closes us out with a call to action for all queer artists, reminding them of their power to shape the future.

Harrow & Meghan talk queering the holidays and some work they’ve seen featuring previous guests: National Queer Theater’s LUCIÉRNAGAS written by Javier Rivera DeBruin and IS THIS A ROOM featuring Becca Blackwell. For our action of the ep, find out the many ways that you can get involved with The Center’s statewide advocacy coalition, RiseOut, The People’s Platform. Thesis on Joan will return for Season Three in Spring 2022!

A full transcription of this episode is available through this link.

Action of the Ep:

RiseOut, The People’s Platform

Cecilia Gentili: Instagram | Twitter

Transgender Equity Consulting

Queer Culture Recs:

Dangerous Liaisons

Queer Gives:

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#2.14 Decolonizing the Process with the New Visions Fellowship

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0000

This week’s guests, ayla xuân chi sullivan, Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko, and Roger Q. Mason come from the inaugural New Vision Fellowship for Black trans and gender non-conforming playwrights, a partnership with the National Queer Theatre and Dramatist Guild! As the Fellowship co-founder/lead mentor, Roger shares the genesis of the program, the need for work, mentorship, time, space, and the opportunity to just be. Fellows Nick and ayla discuss their plays in development, having a space where they can be their fullest selves, learning from each other non-hierarchically, and decolonizing the process of professional work. The trio also gets into trans identity as spiritual identity, theatre as a ritual, assumptions about what Black, queer, trans joy looks like, and the gift and journey of preparing the road for the next generation.

Hosts Harrow and Meghan discuss how the last year and a half have affected their relationships to theatre, Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord, and signing up for free bystander, conflict de-escalation, harassment response, and resilience training with Hollaback!

You can find a full transcript of this episode here.

Action of the Ep:

Sign up for a free Hollaback! Training!
Hollaback!’s mission is to end harassment in all its forms by transforming the culture that perpetuates hate and harassment. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all. The free trainings include bystander intervention, conflict de-escalation, responding to and preventing harassment, and resilience.

GUESTS:

New Visions Fellowship: Instagram
ayla xuân chi sullivan: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko: New Play Exchange | Instagram | Twitter
Roger Q. Mason: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Afrofuturism with Carnegie Hall

Queer Gives:

Diamond Stylz: Marsha’s Plate Podcast | Black Trans Women, Inc
FIERCE NYC
National Queer Theatre - with a comment for the New Visions Fellowship!

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

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#2.13 An Awakened State with Mei Ann Teo

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Mei Ann Teo, theatre, film maker, and Associate Artistic Director of New Work at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, stops by the podcast to give Harrow and Meghan a master class in civically minded art, church skits as artistic awakenings, queer plays written by “straight” identifying teens, liberation as a way to subvert the grand narrative and the life changing moment that set them on the path to being a devised theater creator. She shares more about the unique way that Oregon Shakespeare Festival @OSFashland is approaching the artistic director role and how we need to all come to terms with our addiction to producing Shakespeare. Most importantly they blow our mind by teasing the queer camp Little Shop of Horrors of our dreams that we’re unapologetically thirsty for.

Meghan and Harrow talk about the New York Times article “As Broadway Returns, Shows Rethink and Restage Depictions of Race” and share some upcoming work from previous guests.

You can find a full transcript of this episode here.

Article Discussed

As Broadway Returns, Shows Rethink and Restage Depictions of Race

Action of the Ep:

Check out our previous guests’ creative projects!

Luciernagas with National Queer Theater at the 14th St. Y November 11-30th - written by prior guest Javier Rivera DeBruin
Chicken and Biscuits on Broadway through January 2, 2022- sound design by prior guest Twi McCallum
“Wait, Is This a Date?” - new podcast hosted by prior guest Drew Gregory
August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at Arena Stage in DC November 26-December 26th featuring prior guest Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi as Ruby
Mirrors by prior guest Azure D. Osborne-Lee premiering virtually on November 10, 2021
Maybe Burke in Maybzgiving: A Queernucopia at 54 Below November 23, 2021

Mei Ann Teo: Website | Instagram

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Web Site

Queer Culture Recs:

Queer Gives:

The Jean Moye Dark Fund - Learn More & Donate

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.12 Decentering Broadway with Miss Hazel Jade

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Hosts chat with Miss Hazel Jade, director, dramaturg, playwright, librettist, literary consultant, and investor for Broadway and the West End! Miss Hazel shares her current focus to decenter Broadway, return to grassroots nonprofit regional theatre, and inspire the next generation of theatre-makers. She highlights the legal issues with investing in American theatre, her love of creating theatre for the West End and UK, and why we need to dissolve the Broadway League. She also shares how one of her many upcoming projects, The Regulars: A Folk Musical, will give us the queer and trans creative team, cast, and bar of our dreams.

Harrow and Meghan discuss the 2021 Tony Awards and some action steps to help end solitary confinement and reduce the incarcerated population in New York City and State.

You can view a transcript of this episode here.

Action of the Ep:

New York Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (CAIC)
#HALTsolitary Campaign - Humane Alternative to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act
Phone to Action Tool to Email, Tweet, & Call City Council Speaker Corey Johnson to urge him and the city council to truly end solitary confinement in New York City
VOCAL-NY - working to end mass incarceration by ending discriminatory and abusive policing practices, reducing the number of people incarcerated, and removing barriers to jobs, housing & voting for people with conviction histories

Miss Hazel Jade: Website | Instagram | Twitter

The Regulars: A Folk Musical Website | Instagram

Queer Culture Recs:

Queer Gives:

The Trevor Project - Donate here!

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.11 Aggressively Korean with Nina Ki

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Today we sit down with playwright, aerialist, and mother of three dogs, Queerean Nina Ki! We discuss the extra labor that goes into submitting as an artist of color, acting in your own plays (because you’re the only person who knows Korean), writing horror (Asian style), finding inspiration from unlikely sources on Netflix, queering deeply upsetting Korean folk tales, integrating aerial work into musicals, looking for Queerean representation in media, and Harrow has their bi-annual podcast Buffy fan moment with Nina.

We also discuss our thoughts ahead of the Tony Awards, our return to Broadway seeing Wicked the musical and how you can help raise awareness for missing LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals.

You can view a transcript of this episode here.

Action of the Ep:

Action & Awareness for Queer and BIPOC Missing Persons
Further Reading
Why Cases of Missing Trans Individuals are Rarely Solved
Media Bias in Missing Persons Cases
Not our Native Daughters
Trans Doe Task Force
MMI People Who Are Missing

Nina Ki: Website | Instagram

Soft Jade, A Radio Play - Yale Summer Cabaret
IAMA Theater - Broken English
Queens Theater - Broken English, Primary Colors, One Small Step

Queer Culture Recs:

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Monstress by Marjorie Liu
The Half of It - Netflix

Queer Gives:

Venmo - @FCFilms
Instagram - @DecolonizeAcupuncture

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.10 Mixing It Up with Twi McCallum

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Hosts Meghan & Harrow chat with Twi McCallum (she/they/he), the first woman of color sound designer of a Broadway show! Hear how Twi came to work on their Broadway debut, Chicken & Biscuits (previews begin TOMORROW, September 23, 2021), the history of women and POC sound designers on Broadway (not many), how things have changed since Twi published an open letter to the theatre community last year, and her concerns for the future. They also share their love of designing musicals, how she manifested more musical projects, the difference between sound designers and composers, thoughts on virtual theatre, and his dream role in film production.

Harrow and Meghan also check-in about their upcoming trip to a Broadway show and some ways to fight for reproductive justice.

You can find a transcript of this episode here.

Action of the Ep:

Twi McCallum: Website

Open Letter to the Theatre Community on Hiring Black Designers and Creatives
Chicken & Biscuits - Circle In The Square Theatre
It Came From Outer Space - Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Queer Culture Recs:

Pose

Queer Gives:

Qween Jean: Website | Instagram | Black Trans Liberation | Venmo - @Miss_Jean
Donja R. Love: Instagram | Twitter | Write It Out! - Donate

Episode Credits:

Edited by Harrow Sansom

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.9 Ryan J. Haddad is Still Single

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0000

We’re back with the hilarious and insightful actor and playwright Ryan J. Haddad to kick-off the second half of Season Two! Ryan’s show Hi, Are You Single? was a pandemic, digital theater high point for us - we go into the backstory and creation of this piece and what it was like to tell stories about connections during COVID. Ryan also (maybe accidentally?) announces his next show coming in 2022, Dark Disabled Stories. We also discuss radical accessibility, exploring ableism in Dark Disabled Stories, the lack of true depictions of disabled stories, the sinister nature of tearjerkers, frozen custard and other Northeast Ohio hotspots, and an upcoming opportunity to go on a date with Ryan. Meghan and Harrow also encourage you to go out and patronize your queer spaces! Cheers, queers!

You can find a transcript of this episode here.

Action of the Ep:

Eat, drink and be queer at your local Queer hangs!
Lesbian Bar Project
Alibi Lounge

Ryan J. Haddad: Website | Instagram | Twitter

Woolly Mammoth 2021-2022 Season

Queer Culture Recs:

Megan Stalter at New York Comedy Festival
Megan Stalter: Twitter
Otherworld - Harrow's Columbus pick!

Queer Gives:

Follow Imani Barbarin: @crutches_and_spice
Imani Barbarin Patreon

Episode Credits:

Edited by Meghan Dixon

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.8 Reimagining the world with Javier Rivera DeBruin

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0000

Wrap up Pride month with playwright and impact producer, Javier Rivera DeBruin, and hosts Meghan and Harrow! Javi discusses how queerness, magical realism/fantasy/scifi in theatre allows a unique opportunity for anything to happen, the dynamics of family in their writing and in the theatre community, and why theatre is the Grey Gardens of the arts. Learn what Javi does as an Impact Producer for documentaries like DISCLOSURE and TRANS IN TRUMPLAND, practices that theatre could adapt from documentaries, and the rewards of contributing to the counter narratives to the recent attacks against trans youth.

Harrow and Meghan also discuss upcoming shows in July and how you can support the Equality Act!

Upcoming Shows:

Trans Moses at Ars Nova - Created & Performed by Christian Luu
Brother, Brother at NYTW - by Aleshea Harris, directed by Shayok Misha Chowdhury

Action of the Ep:

Call and email your Senators to support the Equality Act

Javier Rivera DeBruin: Website | Instagram | Twitter

Queer Culture Recs:

Queer Gives:

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can find a full transcript of this episode here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.7 Criminal Queerness with National Queer Theater

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0000

Celebrate Pride with National Queer Theater’s Criminal Queerness Festival! Hosts are joined by director, playwright, actor, teaching artist and National Queer Theater (NQT) Artistic Director Adam Odsess-Rubin and playwright, dramaturg and Co-Producer of the Criminal Queerness Festival Adam A. El-Sayigh. In addition to the trio of shows for this year’s Criminal Queerness Festival we talk about fighting for queer liberation through art, queerness as a political act, a producing theater’s responsibility to artists, the many incredible programs offered by NQT, and the trials and tribulations of producing outdoor theater. Meghan and Harrow talk about their dream pride celebrations (it’s not in June), pride celebrations happening this month, the work of Communities United for Police Reform and the MaYi Theater’s production of ONCE UPON A (KOREAN) TIME by Daniel K. Isaac and directed by Ralph B. Peña.

ONCE UPON A (KOREAN) TIME:

Show Information

National Queer Theater:

Web Site
Get Tickets for the Criminal Queerness Festival
THIS IS NOT A MEMORIZED SCRIPT, THIS IS A WELL-REHEARSED STORY By Dima Mikhayel Matta, Directed by Em Weinstein
<> By Victor I. Cazares, Directed by Borna Barzin
LAYALINA By Martin Yousif Zebari, Directed by Sivan Battat
NQT Programs

Adam A. El-Sayigh

Web Site
Instagram (for charcuterie gold)
Twitter

Adam Odsess-Ruben

Instagram

Action of the Ep

Communities United for Police Reform
Take Action: Budget Justice
Dyke March
New Marshal Training Information
June 12th-13th - Haircut Fundraiser at Hairrari
Queer Liberation March

Queer Culture Rec:

Queer Gives:

National Queer Theater - Donate

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.6 Queer Queue with Drew Gregory

Wed, 26 May 2021 07:00:00 -0000

This week, hosts chat with filmmaker, theatremaker, and writer Drew Gregory! Drew shares about the short she made in quarantine, “The First Time”, reminisces about directing immersive theatre immediately after coming out, and giving young people the trans representation in media she did not have. As a writer for Autostraddle, Drew discusses the freedom of writing for queer indie media, finding the one second of queerness in the In The Heights trailer, and assigns us the best kind of homework, to watch her queer media recommendations.

Hosts Harrow and Meghan discuss more thoughts on the return of in-person theatre and Chonburi International Hotel and Butterfly Club written by and featuring Shakina Nayfack and directed by Laura Savia on Audible.

Show Discussion:

Chonburi International Hotel and Butterfly Club written by and featuring Shakina Nayfack, directed by Laura Savia, produced in collaboration with Williamstown Theatre Festival
Narrated by: Shakina Nayfack, Kate Bornstein, Annie Golden, Telly Leung, Jason Tam, Bianca Leigh, Ivory Aquino, Pooya Mohseni, Samy Figaredo, Angelica Ross, Liz Lark Brown, Ita Segev, Dana Aliya Levinson

Action of the Ep:

Upcoming NYC voting dates
Saturday, June 12, 2021 - early Voting begins
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 - absentee ballots must be requested
Tuesday, June 22, 2021 - primary election
Tuesday, November 2, 2021 - general election
NYC Registered Voter Search
Find Your Pollsite and View a Sample Ballot for Democratic Primary elections!
Research candidates for Mayor, City Council, District Attorney, Cit Comptroller, Borough President, and more!
Learn about the new Ranked Choice Voting
Gothamist 2021 Voter Guide
Theater in Asylum’s 2021 Voter Guide

Drew Gregory: Instagram | Twitter | Autostraddle

“The First Time” - short from Drew Gregory
“This Is an Essay About Penises”
“The Poet’s Choice” - essay about Portrait of a Lady on Fire
“From “Calamity Jane” to “The Prom”: A History of Queer Women in Movie Musicals”
Holy Camp!
The 200 Best Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer Movies Of All Time
House of Hummingbird
Alice Junior
The Watermelon Woman
Mommy is Coming
Eva & Candela
Second Star on the Right
“Sundance 2021: “4 Feet High” Is a Monumental Work of Queer Disabled Media”

Queer Gives:

Trans Justice Funding Project - Donate!

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can find a full transcript of this episode here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.5 The Genre Fluid Dionne McClain-Freeney

Wed, 12 May 2021 09:00:00 -0000

The multi-talented Dionne McClain-Freeney is a musical theatre septuple threat - pianist, composer, lyricist, choral and musical director, arranger, singer and teaching artist. Join Meghan & Harrow as they sit down with Dionne to discuss her many roles in the theater world, musical theater as a medium rather than a genre, the importance of “working it out” in a collaboration, genre-fluidity, love song lyrics that make her swoon, uplifting the next generation of musical theater creators, redefining success in theater, faith and spirituality as a queer person, the beauty in the mundane lives of queers, and our shared enduring love of Anybodys. Meghan and Harrow also discuss the LAST GASP WFH, written and performed by Peggy Shaw and Lois Weaver of Split Britches and presented by La Mama and shout out Rock Steady farm.

Dionne McClain-Freeney:

Instagram
Twitter
Maestra Music Profile
Into the World - from THIS ONE GIRL’S STORY

Last Gasp WFH - Split Britches

Through May 31, 2021

Streaming

Action of the Ep

Rock Steady Farm - Web Site
Black Farmers United - Web Site

Queer Culture Rec:

Soul Summit- Instagram

Queer Gives:

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

A full transcript of this episode is available here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.4 Living Joyously with Melissa Li & Kit Yan

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0000

In Thesis on Joan’s first duo interview, musical theatre writing team Melissa Li (she/her) and Kit Yan (they/she/he) check in with hosts about the recent rise in anti-Asian violence, how they’ve grown as creative partners over a decade, and what our responsibility is to our elders even when they’re part of the problem. Kit and Melissa also discuss how they healed their friendship through writing the musical Interstate, met the community they now write for while touring to 32 states, and what to do when casting directors tell you they can’t find someone for a role. Get your athletic wear ready for their next musical, Miss Step, with an entirely trans lead cast telling the story of the boring and remarkable life of a trans person, the importance of queer joy, and living our best lives.

Hosts Harrow and Meghan discuss nonbinary erasure and ciswashing of Jagged Little Pill and their thoughts on the Ars Nova Vision Residency of The Women, created by L Morgan Lee and Raja Feather Kelly.

Content Warning: 18:18 - 19:10 Mention of sexual assault, rape, death

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Broadway’s Jagged Little Journey Toward Nonbinary Inclusion by Christian Lewis

Show Discussion:

Ars Nova Vision Residency of The Women
Created by L Morgan Lee & Raja Feather Kelly
Featuring works by Kirsten Childs, Dane Figueroa Edidi, Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Christine Toy Johnson, Bianca Leigh, Carmen LoBue, & Nia Witherspoon
Directed by Raja Feather Kelly
Featuring Dane Figueroa Edidi, Kim Exum, Jordan Ho, Lacretta, L Morgan Lee, Ronald Peet, Aneesh Sheth

Action of the Ep:

March on Broadway: @randomblackgirllll, @50milerunforjusticeprotest, @papimagic
March on Broadway Demands

Melissa Li and Kit Yan:

Melissa Li: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Kit Yan: Website | Instagram | Twitter
Interstate website

Queer Culture Rec:

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

Queer Gives:

East West Players - Donate here
No Place For Hate • EWP responds to rising anti-Asian violence

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

A full transcript of this episode can be found here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.3 Shut Up & Listen with Maybe Burke

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Maybe Burke has been all over your TV this pandemic! In our third episode of the season, Meghan and Harrow sit down with the award-winning actor, writer and human rights advocate! We talk about the many ways to identify as a theatre-maker, the dangers of producers auditioning trans actors to “check a box,”, the glamours of screen work (umbrella PAs?), why this is now a Victor Garber stan podcast, how we all wish theater was better to us, shutting up and listening in order to be an advocate, and why some of our favorite musical theater characters should be trans!

Meghan and Harrow give updates on their pups and discuss the Women’s Project Theater, in collaboration with Red Bull Theater, production of GALATEA by MJ Kaufman and directed by Will Davis.

Maybe Burke:

GALATEA

Action of the Ep

NYC Community Fridges

Queer Culture Rec:

Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
Surpassing Certainty by Janet Mock
Janet Mock’s Website

Queer Gives:

The Transgender Training Insitute
Learn More
Donate - Website
Upcoming Webinars

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can find a full transcript of this episode here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.2 No Rules with Jose Solís

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Critic and cheerleader, Jose Solís chats it out with hosts Harrow and Meghan this week! A critic at the age of 16, Jose shares how to become an authority on things we’re “not allowed” to be a part of and why he has his matches ready (fuck the Tonys). By creating the BIPOC Critics Lab and Token Theatre Friends podcast, Jose works to disrupt the white supremacist structure in criticism, queer the relationship between artists and critics, remove barriers, and teach critics how to start conversations, not end them. Harrow and Meghan also discuss the last shows they saw in person, what they’re looking forward to with theatre returning, and Parity Production’s 2019 Parity Commission winner, CERCLE HERMAPHRODITOS by Shualee Cook, directed by Ludovica Villar-Hauser.

Show Discussion:

CERCLE HERMAPHRODITOS by Shualee Cook, directed by Ludovica Villar-Hauser

Action of the Ep:

Jose Solís:

Queer Culture Rec:

Queer Gives:

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter
Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬
Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can find a full transcript of this episode here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2.1 Please Do Cast L Morgan Lee

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0000

Welcome back, queers! The incomparable L Morgan Lee is our first guest of Season Two! Join Harrow and Meghan as they talk to L Morgan about making space in developing projects, the Pulitzer situation, intersectional change, always being a student, the demands on musical theater actors, the genius of Michael John LaChiusa and searching for L Morgan’s personal George Seurat. In this episode we discuss the productions HI, ARE YOU SINGLE? By Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Laura Savia and Jess McLeod, and presented by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in association with IAMA Theatre Company. We also discuss THE BLACK QUEENS SCREEN TESTS written and directed by Jerome A. Parker, A Patterson Projects Workshop Production sponsored by the Tank NYC and produced in conjunction with Alan K. Schuster.

L Morgan Lee:

HI, ARE YOU SINGLE?

Show Information
Ryan Haddad- Website

THE BLACK QUEENS SCREEN TESTS

Show Information
Patterson Projects Inc- About

Queer Culture Rec:

Veneno
Real Housewives
Fate: The Winx Saga - Netflix

Queer Gives:

LEGACY: A BLACK QUEER PRODUCTION COLLECTIVE
Donate - Website
Learn More - Instagram

Our Dogs!

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can find a full transcript of this episode through this link.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season Two Coming Soon!

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -0000

We're (almost) back, queers!

Season Two of Thesis on Joan premieres this month, March 2021!

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#14 Incandescent Lisa Kron

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Join us for our season finale episode in which we get to talk to the artist who coined the name for our podcast, writer and actor Lisa Kron! We discuss Lisa’s early artist days and the “living culture” of WOW Café as well as the origins and almost European tour of the Five Lesbian Brothers. This leads us to the importance and rarity of queer spaces, queer identity outside of the patriarchy, the incandescent and creative life of the subculture, and the sanctification of a chosen family. In our discussion of Fun Home, we get to hear excerpts from Lisa’s childhood diary and about the autograph line confessions at the Fun Home stage door. Lisa reflects on the intersection of art and activism and her family history in light of today’s political climate and provides some pre-election insight that’s still prescient to our presidential transition time. We leave you this season with the reminder, as Lisa says, of “our power to create the future.” Be powerful and keep it queer.

Lisa Kron: Website

Queer Culture Rec:

AOC Sunrise Speech
Gentleman Jack - HBO
Great British Bake-Off (specifically Noel Fielding) - Netflix
Taskmaster - Amazon, Youtube

Queer Gives:

Georgia Senate Runoff Campaigns to Support:

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can view a transcript of this episode here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#13 The Divine Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

In our season one penultimate episode, hosts Meghan and Harrow talk with Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi. As a performance artist, author, educator, advocate, choreographer, priestess, speech writer, playwright, and healer, Lady Dane takes us through her teenage years creating cabarets and if you’re a fan of WAP, recommends some nasty songs from her Bad B Medley. She shares some past and upcoming projects and how she leverages her access to fight against white supremacy and ask for what she feels is necessary. Join her call to action of advocating for Black trans women and ask yourself who do you want to be and what do you want the place where you work to be?

Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi: Website | Instagram | Twitter

Additional Mentions:

Queer Culture Rec:

Queer Gives:

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can find a transcript of this episode here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#12 The Interdimensional Aneesh Sheth

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Today our guest is none other than the interdimensional Aneesh Sheth! We talk to Aneesh about creating during quarantine, making Shakespeare accessible and relevant (and Bollywood infused, of course), inhabiting many roles as an artist, the magic of Fun Home (we didn’t bring it up, we swear!), trans folx in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what we really need to see when we talk varied representation and why your quarantine queer culture indulgence should be Aneesh’s new vlog!

Aneesh Sheth: Website | Twitter | Instagram

Queer Culture Rec from Aneesh:

The News! Stay Informed! Aneesh recommends CNN.

Queer Gives:

South Asians for Black Lives Matter- Instagram & Web Site
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts Collective - Instagram & FB & Web Site

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can find a transcript of this episode here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#11.5 - Vote & Hang In

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Surprise! Join Harrow & Meghan on this special mini episode as they talk election hopes & fears and queer culture comfort. They’ll provide a quick fix of bisexual pirates, queer sci-fi, dog talk and road trip paranoia before tomorrow’s election. Get out and vote and we’ll be back on November 11th with our regularly scheduled programming with the incomparable Aneesh Sheth!

Queer Culture Rec:

Tik Tok Birates
San Junipero - Netflix Black Mirror: Season 3 Episode 4
#HalloweenDog on Instagram

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#11 Joker Parent, Sulu LeoNimm

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Hosts Meghan and Harrow keep it in the working family this week with Harrow's co-worker, Sulu LeoNimm, a Theatre of the Oppressed NYC (TONYC) Joker and Interim Executive Director, actor, director, and parent of 2 small kids. Hear about Sulu’s very serious start in drag performance that eventually led to an Asian musical mashup drag show in the back of straight bars. We get to dive into Peg-ass-us, a romantic sex-ed burlesque they created, performed, and toured with their real-life partner (and yes, it’s about what you think it’s about) and how their relationship with theatre has changed since becoming a parent. Learn more about TONYC, how they are shifting the nature of their work, how TONYC is different from other theatre companies, and how to approach administrative tasks with care, including the difference of getting something done right versus getting it done in a way that serves the needs of the people involved.

Sulu LeoNimm: Twitter

Theatre of the Oppressed NYC: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Additional Mentions:

Ali Forney Center
Hetrick-Martin Institute
Augusto Boal - created Theatre of the Oppressed (TO)
Paulo Frierie - works inspired TO

Queer Gives:

Trans Boxing - become a Patron to support their new space!

Queer Culture Rec:

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can find a transcript of this episode here.

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#10 The Frontrunner, Azure D. Osborne-Lee

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -0000

On our most bookish episode yet Harrow and Meghan sit down with award-winning Black queer theatre maker and founder of Roots and River Productions, Azure D. Osborne-Lee! Join us as we chat Black sci-fi, sharing stories with family, being a weird kid, our queer night missed connection with Azure at their show Mirrors, the importance of paying artists, fat love interests, the emotional core of Worst Cooks in America and making big queer announcements at family gatherings. Azure explains why Shakespeare needs to take a back seat and why non-profit orgs should be putting their budgets where their mouth (mission statement) is!

Azure D. Osborne-Lee: Website | Twitter | Instagram

Queer Culture Rec from Azure:

N.K. Jemisin
Escape Pod
Work Cooks in America
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency - Netflix

Queer Gives:

Roots and River Productions - donate and support!

Take Action!

Voting Dates - New York State (if out of NYS, please check local dates!)

Oct 9th - Register to Vote
Oct. 27th - Request Absentee Ballots
Nov. 3rd - Postmarked Date, Return In Person

If you are voting in NYS please vote for Biden/Harris under the Working Families Party so they can maintain their spot on the ballot in the future.

Democratic Senate Candidates to Support in Close Races:

Arizona: Mark Kelly
South Carolina: Jaime Harrison

Justice for Breonna Taylor:

Donate to the Louisville Community Bail Fund
Call:
502-574-7111 or 502-574-2111 - Louisville Police Department
502-696-5300 - Special Prosecutor State AG Daniel Cameron
(502) 574-2003 - Mayor Greg Fischer
(502) 564-2611 - Kentucky Gov. Andy Breshear
(502) 574-2136 - Police Public Integrity Unit
Demand:
Immediately fire and revoke the pensions of the officers that murdered Breonna.
Divest from LMPD and Invest in community building.
Immediate resignation (or impeachment) of Mayor Greg Fisher.
Metro Council ends use of force by Louisville Metro Police Department. Police shootings are gun violence.

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can find a transcript of this episode here.

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#9 Unboxable Diana Oh

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Hosts Meghan and Harrow receive a virtual fridge tour and so much more from polyspirited Artist Diana Oh. Learn about Diana’s doula in birthing art, how they define chosen family, and why her art is so big, sparkly, colorful, and bombastic. Diana also gives us some advice on how to find some of the joy from Infinite Love Party during quarantine and some initial steps to salvage the Gr8 American Theatre. Before the interview, Harrow and Meghan check-in about their favorite aspects of making the podcast and what’s been getting them through 2020.

Diana Oh: Website | Instagram

Additional Mentions:

Korean Queer & Trans National Network

Queer Gives:

Queer Culture Rec:

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can access a transcript of this episode here.

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#8 Schmerm! With Becca Blackwell

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 09:00:00 -0000

On a “We all escaped from Ohio” special edition of Thesis on Joan- your friendly neighborhood Schmerm, Becca Blackwell, joins your favorite buckeye queers, Harrow and Meghan, to talk labels, imagining Midwest queer communities, the many reasons Harrow and Becca are destined to be friends, that paradox of trying to understand the gender binary (through comedy, of course!), cutting your hair and joining the circus, Daoism and facing the dreaded “I just don’t know what to do with you.” Hear more about Becca’s experience working on Hurricane Diane and how dispelling the myth of gatekeepers can help us fix the American Theatre!

Becca Blackwell: Website | Instagram

This episode contains mentions of sexual trauma, please see the time codes below to skip these portions of the episode:

3:30-4:20

34:33-34:43

50:23-50:39

Queer Resources:

Queer Culture Rec from Becca:

Queer Gives:

Callen Lorde
Sylvia Rivera Food Pantry- Volunteer or Donate
Mutual Aid for Sex Workers of Color

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can access a transcript of this episode here.

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#7 Indigiqueering with Ty Defoe

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Tune in this week with Meghan and Harrow as they talk with interdisciplinary artist Ty Defoe about breaking out of binaries as a two-spirit Indigiqueer person and finding balance between safe and brave space in theatre. Ty also speaks on being “genre fluid,” building just systems to create justice on stage with projects like Broadway’s Straight White Men, and imagining queerness seven generations from now.

Ty Defoe: Website | Instagram | Twitter

Ty’s Work:

Queer Culture Rec from Ty:

Hot Comb by Ebony Flowers

Queer Gives:

Thesis on Joan:

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can read a transcript of this episode here.

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#6 Discomfort with Sally Cade Holmes

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Join Meghan and Harrow as they sit down with Tony Award winning producer extraordinaire Sally Cade Holmes as she navigates producing in the age of digital theater. We talk about our mutual love of drag kings, why strong female characters in musicals are probably queer, Harrow's go-to fourth date spot in 2014-2015, the need for queer mentors, and living in the discomfort in 2020.

Support Sally Cade!

Website

Instagram - @sally_cade

Pickle the dog - @pick1e__

Sally Cade Projects:

Play On Shakespeare

Gender And Family Project - @GenderAndFamilyProject

Support Justice!

Queer Gives - Marsha P. Johnson Institute

Support Us!

Instagram - @thesisonjoan

Twitter - @thesisonjoan

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Queer Culture Recs from Sally Cade:

The Jungle Upstairs - @thejungleupstairs

Queerology Podcast

Making Gay History Podcast

Additional Mentions:

Junior Mintt - @juniormintt

Lou Henry Hoover - @LouHenryHoover

Switch n' Play - @SwitchnPlay

Takarazuka Review

Ballez

You can read a transcript of this episode here.

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#5 Emerged Playwright C.A. Johnson

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0000

This week’s episode, Thesis on Joan hosts speak with writer C.A. Johnson. Hear about her recent production and premature closing of MCC’s All the Natalie Portmans, writing for sad queers watching movies about women who don’t want them, and our shared love of a certain teen heartthrob. C.A. also talks about the residencies and fellowships she’s done that give playwrights what they need, writing for tv and theatre, and experimenting with plot structures outside one based on the male orgasm.

C.A. Johnson - Instagram, Twitter

More about MCC Theater’s All the Natalie Portmans

The Lark

Space on Ryder Farm

The Civilians R&D Group

Sundance Institute Theatre Program

Queer Gives:

SAGE NYC - Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can view a transcript of this episode here.

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#4 FanQueers Harrow & Meghan

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 09:00:00 -0000

In Episode 4 get to know Thesis on Joan’s hosts, FanQueers Meghan and Harrow! Hear about the inspiration for the podcast, their friendship meet cute, growing up in Ohio as budding musical theatre nerds, their (kinda) matching tattoos and what musical theatre moments probably made them queer.

Places / Orgs We Shout Out!

ART New York - Body Autonomy Program

TDF - Autism Friendly Performances

Theatre on Film & Tape Archive

Theatre of the Oppressed NYC

Queer Folx Book Club

Queer Gives- Ali Forney Center

Support Us!

Instagram - @thesisonjoan

Twitter- @thesisonjoan

Leave us a voicemail: (845) 445-9251

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

You can view a transcript of this episode here.

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#3 Twice! Andrea Prestinario

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 10:00:00 -0000

Thesis on Joan hosts Meghan and Harrow chat with Andrea Prestinario, performer, producer and the Executive Director / Co-Founder of Ring of Keys, an advocacy organization that promotes the hiring of queer women, transgender, and gender non-conforming artists working in musical theatre. Learn about Ring of Keys’ mission, the organization’s members (“keys”), and how they’re changing the face of musical theatre. Andrea also gives us her take on Fun Home after playing Allison TWICE, shares her queer musical theatre meet cute, and fixes a problematic musical by queering it up!

Andrea Prestinario - Instagram, Twitter

Ring of Keys - Instagram, Twitter

Turn up the Volume: A Virtual Pride Concert Amplifying Black Keys

Check Out Videos from the “Queering the Canon” Concert- ROK Youtube

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Click here to view a transcript of this episode.

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#2 Date Marga Gomez

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 10:00:00 -0000

In Episode 2 Thesis on Joan’s hosts Meghan and Harrow talk to writer and performer Marga Gomez just before her 13th solo show Spanking Machine heads to Dixon Place for a digital presentation July 16-25, 2020. Hear about Marga’s inspiration for Spanking Machine, the highs and lows of creating a show for the digital space (she has some notes for the 5 Lesbian Brothers), the influence of her parents on her work, Marga’s take on many queer culture moments (hey, Kiling Eve and Generation Q!) and who she would most like to send a Seamless dinner date to during quarantine.

Support Marga!

Web Site - http://www.margagomez.com/

Spanking Machine Tickets & More Info - DixonPlace.Org

Instagram- @themargagomez

Twitter- @margagomez

Support Justice!

Queer Gives- Louisville Community Bail Fund & Jaime Harrison for US Senate

Support Us!

Instagram - @thesisonjoan

Twitter- @thesisonjoan

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Read a transcript of this episode here.

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#1 Cast Ianne Fields Stewart

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 01:36:00 -0000

For Thesis on Joan’s inaugural episode for Pride, hosts Meghan and Harrow talk to Ianne Fields Stewart, a Black, queer, nonbinary, transfeminine, actor/activist and founder of The Okra Project. Hear about Ianne’s many talents, the work they want to focus on, and how theatres can actually show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Follow Ianne Fields Stewart at iannefieldsstewart.com and on Twitter and Instagram!

Watch Ianne in The Feels.

QUEER GIVES

Donate and follow the organizations mentioned in the episode:

Contact your NY City Council rep to demand they #DefundtheNYPD.

Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter @thesisonjoan

Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com

Read a transcript of this episode here.

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